Kristin Wong

If you've ever overdrafted, you know it's a simple but frustrating mistake. At best, you call the bank and convince them to waive the fee. It's still a pain. Even the best budgeters among us can make a small checking account flub. But there's a really simple way to safeguard against these flubs: keep a cushion in your checking account.

Financial writer Leah Manderson explains that even the smallest unexpected expense can catch you by surprise and muck up your budget. For example:

Gas prices go up a few cents

The seasons change and the heating bill increases

These aren't really emergencies, so it's not a proper time to use savings. But in encountering this little pea, you may overdraw your checking account.

How do you end that cycle? What's the fix?

Consider building a better cushion in your checking account.

Manderson suggests a cushion of at least 25 percent of your monthly income, if possible. This is a lot for some of us, but think of it as a way to "insure" yourself against those small, unexpected expenses.

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If your checking account is often dangerously close to zero, you might have enough trouble paying your bills, much less saving for a cushion. But if you can, you might consider whether you can find a way to build yourself this small safety net. Because when you're struggling, an overdraft could be more than just an annoyance.